Chapter 1

Question 1

Determinism

Answer 1

The assumption that the universe is a lawful and orderly place and that all phenomena occur as the result of other events and not in a Willy-nilly accidental fashion

Question 2

Applied Behavior Analysis

Answer 2

The science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for the improvement in behavior

Question 3

Behaviorism

Answer 3

The philosophy of the science of behavior

Question 4

Empiricism

Answer 4

The practice of objective observation and measurement of the phenomena of interest

Question 5

Experiment

Answer 5

A controlled comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of interest under two or more different conditions in which only one factor at a time differs from one condition to another

Question 6

Experimental analysis of behavior

Answer 6

The analysis of operant behavior and it’s unique relation to the environment

Question 7

Explanatory fiction

Answer 7

Psychological theories that grant causal status to hypothetical constructs

Question 8

Functional analysis

Answer 8

Experimentally demonstrating a functional relation by adding and removing an independent variable to ensure co-variation

Question 9

Functional relation

Answer 9

A verbal statement summarizing the results of an experiment that describes the occurrence of the phenomena under study as a function of the operation of one or more specified and controlled variables in the experiment in which a specific change can be produced by manipulating another

Question 10

Replication

Answer 10

Repeating conditions within an experiment to determine the reliability of effects and increase internal validity

Question 11

Parsimony

Answer 11

The practice of ruling out simple, logical explanations, experimentally or conceptually, before considering more complex or abstract explanations

Question 12

Philosophical doubt

Answer 12

An attitude that the truthfulness and validity of all scientific theory and knowledge should be continually questioned

Question 13

Science

Answer 13

A systematic approach to understanding natural phenomena

Question 14

Hypothetical constructs

Answer 14

Presumed but unobserved process or entities

Question 15

Mentalism

Answer 15

An approach to the study of behavior which assumes that a mental or “inner” dimension exists that differs from a behavioral dimension

Question 16

Pragmatism

Answer 16

The philosophical position asserting that the truth value of a statement is determined by how well it promotes effective action

Question 17

Methodological behaviorism

Answer 17

The philosophical position views behavioral events that cannot be publicly observed as outside the realm of science

Question 18

Radical behaviorism

Answer 18

A form of behaviorism that seeks to understand all human behavior, including private events